[Federal Register: September 13, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 176)]
[Notices]               
[Page 49439]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13se99-42]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation

 
Notice and Request for Public Comment on the Watermelon Pilot 
Crop Insurance Program

AGENCY: Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Notice with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Federal Crop Insurance 
Corporation (FCIC) is hereby suspending the current watermelon pilot 
crop insurance program for the 2000 crop year. FCIC will continue to 
work with producers, industry representatives, and others to develop a 
revised watermelon insurance program that may better meet the needs of 
producers. The intended effect of this action is to advise all 
interested parties of FCIC's suspension of the current watermelon 
program for the 2000 crop year and to solicit comments regarding a 
revised watermelon pilot crop insurance program.

DATES: Written comments and opinions on suggested improvements for the 
insurance of watermelons will be accepted until close of business 
November 12, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
the Director, Research and Evaluation Division, Federal Crop Insurance 
Corporation, United States Department of Agriculture, 9435 Holmes Road, 
Kansas City, MO 64131. Comments may also be sent via the Internet to 
DIRECTORPDD@RM.FCIC.USDA.GOV. A copy of each response will be available 
for public inspection and copying from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., CDT, Monday 
through Friday except holidays, at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathy Tiefel, Insurance Management 
Specialist, Research and Development Division, Federal Crop Insurance 
Corporation, at the Kansas City, MO, address listed above, telephone 
(816) 926-6343.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The current watermelon pilot crop insurance 
program was implemented for the 1999 crop year in the following fifteen 
counties in eight States: Geneva County in Alabama; Sussex County in 
Delaware; Alachua, Jackson, and Manatee Counties in Florida; Crisp, 
Tift, Turner, and Worth Counties in Georgia; Wicomico County in 
Maryland; Chowan and Sampson Counties in North Carolina; and Duval, 
Frio, and Hidalgo Counties in Texas. The selected pilot program 
counties accounted for approximately 19 percent of the national 
watermelon planted acreage. The pilot program utilized an actual 
production history (APH) plan of insurance. As a result of complaints 
received regarding the watermelon pilot crop insurance program 
concerning excess watermelon production and determination of market 
prices, FCIC is suspending the current program for the 2000 crop year. 
FCIC will continue to work with producers, industry representatives, 
and others to develop a watermelon insurance program that may better 
meet the needs of producers.

Notice

    FCIC is hereby suspending the current watermelon pilot crop 
insurance program for the 2000 crop year. Producers with existing 
watermelon policies will have those policies canceled by the 
cancellation date in accordance with the terms of the policy. FCIC will 
continue to work with producers, industry representatives, and others 
to develop a watermelon insurance program that may better meet the 
needs of producers. Plans of insurance other than the APH plan will be 
considered. FCIC is soliciting comments regarding a revised watermelon 
pilot crop insurance program.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1506(l), 1506(p).

    Signed in Washington, DC, on September 7, 1999.
Kenneth D. Ackerman,
Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
[FR Doc. 99-23795 Filed 9-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P